The Gold Star mothers, whose sons are still buried in American military cemeteries in France, in May will make a pilgrimage to the graves of their son or husbands as guests of the government. The following from this county are entitled to make the trip if they so desire:

Mrs. Ida Brandt, Postville, mother of Arthur F. Brandt, private first class “E” company, 168 Infantry, Meuse-Argonne cemetery, No.

Mrs. Carrie L. Brooks, R.F.D. No 1, Postville, mother of Myron J. Brooks, private, “F” company, 359th infantry, Meuse-Argonne cemetery.

Mrs. Kate Carlton, Waukon, mother of Hugh Pratt Kidder, second lieutenant, 78 company, 6th regiment, Meuse-Argonne cemetery. No.

Mrs. Julia Holverson, Waukon, mother Albert H. Holverson, private fourth company, Camp Gordon, S.A.R. D., Olse-Aisne cemetery. No.

Mrs. Jane McGeough, Waterville, mother of Clement A. McGeough, private, “F” company, 26th infantry, Meuse-argonne cemetery. No.

~Waukon Standard & Lansing Mirror, Wednesday, April 9, 1930 - contributed by Diana Henry Diedrich

Mrs. Carrie L. Brooks, Gold Star mother of Allamakee county, sailed Wednesday from New York on the George Washington, enroute to France where she will visit the grave of her son, Myron, who was killed in action Sept. 26, 1918. Her return to New York is scheduled for May 28.   

~Waukon Democrat May 1931 - contributed by Janet Koozer, granddaughter of Carrie L. Brooks, niece of Myron Brooks

 

In the late 1920s the War Department of the United States compiled a list of mothers and widows of deceased soldiers killed in World War I and offered to send them to their loved one's final resting place in Europe. The database contains the names those women who were entitled to make the pilgrimage, as shown by department records on 15 November 1929. Each record provides the name of widow or mother, city and state of residence, and relationship to the deceased. Additionally, information regarding the decedent's name, rank, unit, and cemetery is provided. In a few cases the woman's surname and decedent's surname can be different, most likely due to an error in spelling in the original document.

Surname: Carlton
Given Name: Mrs Kate
Address:
City: Waukon
County: Allamakee
State: IA
Relationship: Mother
Surname Deceased: Kidder
Given Name Deceased: Hugh Pratt
Rank: 2 lt
Organization: 78th Co, 6th Regt USMC
Cemetery: Meuse-Argonne
Desires Pilgrimage 1930:
Desires Pilgrimage Later: No

Surname: Holverson
Given Name: Mrs Julia
Address:
City: Waukon
County: Allamakee
State: IA
Relationship: Mother
Surname Deceased: Holverson
Given Name Deceased: Albert H
Rank: Pvt
Organization: 4th Co, Camp Gordon, SARD
Cemetery: Oise-Aisne
Desires Pilgrimage 1930:
Desires Pilgrimage Later: No

Surname: Brandt
Given Name: Mrs Ida
Address:
City: Postville
County: Allamakee
State: IA
Relationship: Mother
Surname Deceased: Brandt
Given Name Deceased: Arthur F
Rank: Pvt 1cl
Organization: Co. E, 168th Inf
Cemetery: Meuse-Argonne
Desires Pilgrimage 1930:
Desires Pilgrimage Later: No

Surname: Brooks
Given Name: Mrs Carrie L
Address: Route 2
City: Postville
County: Allamakee
State: IA
Relationship: Mother
Surname Deceased: Brooks
Given Name Deceased: Myron J.
Rank: Pvt
Organization: Co. F, 359th Inf
Cemetery: Meuse-Argonne
Desires Pilgrimage 1930:
Desires Pilgrimage Later: Yes

Surname: McGeough
Given Name: Mrs Jane
Address:
City: Waterville
County: Allamakee
State: IA
Relationship: Mother
Surname Deceased: McGeough
Given Name Deceased: Clement A.
Rank: Pvt
Organization: Co. F, 26th Inf
Cemetery: Meuse-Argonne
Desires Pilgrimage 1930:
Desires Pilgrimage Later: No

~List of Mothers and Widows of American Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines Entitled to Make a Pilgrimage to War Cemeteries in Europe. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1930 - contributed by Sharyl Ferrall

Following are the names of the Gold Star mothers in the Ralph D. Waters post jurisdiction:
Mmes. A.P. Anderson, Agnes A’hearn, James Collins, Cornelius Hanson, Lafe Bigelow, Otto Kosbau, K. Kenney. Leonard Lawson, Albert Oelberg, Edward Sullivan. Joe Reeder. Angelina Howes, all of Waukon and vicinity: Michael Kelly, John Slattery and John Peterson, Waterville; Alfred Pederson, Rossville; Henry Teff and Carl Dreivold, Dorchester and W.S. Hart, Los Angeles, Calif.

~Waukon Republican 1945 - contributed by Diana Henry Diedrich


Mrs. Otto Fischer of Postville, mother of Ensign John McCurdy, navy fighter pilot, who lost his life while serving aboard the Saratoga near the Hawaiian islands August 14, 1942, has been presented with a war bond by former co-workers of her son. Ensign McCurdy was a graduate of the school at State College, Pennsylvania, and later was with the farm Security Administration in that state until he enlisted in the navy.

~Waukon Republican 1945 - contributed by Diana Henry Diedrich

Gold Star Mother's Honored

Gold Star mothers and sisters from Waukon and vicinity were guests of honor at the installation meeting of the American Legion auxiliary on Tuesday evening, July 8.  Each of the honored guests was presented with a corsage during the meeting, which was preceded by a dinner.  Mrs. H. L. Weeks sang several appropriate songs for the occasion.  Those Gold Star mothers or sisters present were, left to right around the table, Mrs. Albert Oelberg, Mrs. Carrie Brooks, Mrs. Lillian Howes, Mrs. Harvey Jones, Mrs. Leonard Campbell, Lydia Schukei, Mrs. Mary Slattery, Mrs. K. E. Kenney, and Mrs. Clarence Bloxham.  Mrs. Jones and Miss Schukei are the two Gold Star sisters.  All the women were from Waukon except  Mrs. Slattery, who lives in Waterville.

~Waukon Republican Standard, July 15, 1952,  p-1, col 6,7,8; Vol. 85 - No. 29 - contributed by Janet Koozer

Honor Gold Star Mothers and Sisters at Party in Waukon

Gold Star mothers and sisters were honored at a party at Veterans hall Wednesday evening of last week when American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars auxiliaries were hostess. A spread supper was served and a program followed.

Gold Star mothers present were Mrs. James Collins, Mrs. Mary Slattery, Mrs. Clarence Bloxham, Mrs. Alfred Tulela, Mrs. Albert Oelberg, Mrs. Will Howes, Mrs. A.R. Anderson, and Mrs. Frank Baxter. The Gold Star sisters present were Lydia Schukel, Mary Elsie Collins, and Mrs. Vivien Wiltgren. Regrets were sent by Mrs. Alvin Thompson, Mrs. Carrie Brooks, Mrs. Ralph Ludeking, Mrs. Glenn Hagen, Mrs. ?. H. Quillin, Mrs. Joe Reeder, Mrs. Len Campbell and Mrs. Ed Heim, all Gold Star mothers and Mrs. Henry Martin, a Gold Star sister.

The program began with an address of welcome by Mrs. Lawrence Byrnes, president of American Legion auxiliary, tap dance by Nina Regan and Susan Hanson, of Mrs. Virgil Stewarts’ dancing Class, a reading by Sharon Campbell, tap and ballet numbers by Jean Hager and Linda Theis, tap dancing numbers by Maureen Drew, Linda Stock, and Peggy Kewley. Ann Hansmeier sang two songs, accompanied by Dolores Slattery, Marilyn Wiltgen presented a tap dance in closing. Mrs. Collins thanked the group on behalf of the guests. Mrs. Mark Campbell, president of the VFW auxiliary, presented gifts from both auxiliaries to the guests of honor.

~Lansing Mirror – 1955 - contributed by Diana Henry Diedrich

Gold Star Mothers Honored

Members of the auxiliary of the Lawrence D. Anderson V.F.W., Post No. 4117 entertained the Gold Star Mothers at the Veteran Hall, Wednesday evening, Sept. 24. A 6:30 pot-luck dinner was served with the meat furnished by the Auxiliary.

58 members were present including 12 Gold Star Mothers, Mrs. A.R. Anderson, Mrs. Len Campbell, Mrs. Albert Oelberg, Mrs. Frank Baxter, Mrs. Wm. Howes, Mrs. L. H. Quillen, Mrs. Mary Slattery, Mrs. Glen Hagen, Mrs. Clarence Bloxham, Mrs. K.E. Kenney, Mrs. Alfred Thiele, Mrs. Leonard Lawson. Each mother was presented a gift and a corsage from the Auxiliary.

On the committee were Mrs. Elmer Bechtel, chairman; Mrs. Marlyn Goepel, Elsie Sheehan and Mrs. M.M. Stunes.

The program consisted of vocal solos by Mrs. Merritt Bissell and Mrs. R.A. Silbaugh with colored slides shown by Mrs. Elmer Bechtel and Mrs. Alfred Hanson. Mrs. James Barnes received the door prize.

~Lansing Mirror - 1958 - contributed by Diana Henry Diedrich